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Friday, June 3, 2016

RCAF rolls out custom-painted CT-155 Hawk to honour 419 Squadron

In honour of 419 “City of Kamloops” Squadron’s 75th Anniversary, the squadron unveiled their newly painted CT-155 Hawk during a ceremony yesterday at 4 Wing Cold Lake, according to the RCAF.

The paint scheme was designed by artist Jim Belliveau, and captures snapshots of the WWII history of this highly decorated unit, it noted. The aircraft is a CT-155 Hawk from the fleet of NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) Hawk trainers used to teach Fighter Lead-In Training in Cold Lake, Alberta, the current home of 419 Squadron.

The CT115217 Hawk Anniversary Edition from 419 Squadron lands as it made its entrance to 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta on 01 June 2016.Image by: Leading Seaman Lisa Sheppard, 4 Wing Imaging CK09-2016-0537-005

More details from the RCAF:

“The camouflage scheme is a stylized application of the classic WWII Bomber Command topside green and brown, combined with an all-black undersurface which masked the aircraft from below against the night sky when most wartime bombing operations occurred for the Allied effort. The call letters VR-W and the dedication of the aircraft on the nose (with yellow “W”) are rooted with the Wellington Bomber flown by Wing Commander John “Moose” Fulton, the first and beloved Commanding Officer of the Unit in 1941.

The Moose insignia on the nose and registration KB799 belong to the Lancaster era of 419 Squadron, and the oldest known “Moose” nose art for the Unit. The roundels on the wings are a stylized combination of old style Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) wartime markings with the addition of a Maple Leaf in the centre to link the wartime era markings to that of today, while the fin flash and side roundels are wartime RCAF.

As “City of Kamloops” squadron, 419 is also holding a reunion weekend July 8-10, 2016 in Kamloops, BC as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations and to celebrate their relationship with the city. A revival of the “Moose” Fulton Club, history book release, Freedom of the City Parade, flypast and static aircraft display, will all take place over the weekend; culminating with a formal Gala Dinner Saturday night.

419 Squadron is a satellite unit of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, the centre of RCAF aircrew training and is comprised of 402 Squadron in Winnipeg, MB, 419 Squadron in Cold Lake, AB, 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Moose Jaw, SK, and 3 CFFTS in Portage la Prairie, MB.